ROCHE AND MAYO FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CO-DEVELOP INNOVATIVE MICROBIOLOGY

Assays based on Nobel prize-winning PCR technology and Lightcycler™ instrumentation

INDIANAPOLIS (July 9, 2001) - Roche Diagnostics and Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, through agreements with Mayo Clinic, have entered into an exclusive agreement to co-develop a new range of microbiology tests based on Roche's LightCycler™ real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology.

"We are pleased to be involved in this initiative because we feel that these types of PCR based tests have potential to revolutionize the way treatment decisions are made," says Frank Cockerill, III, M.D., chairman of microbiology at Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Dr Cockerill leads the development team at Mayo Foundation.

The planned PCR assays may gradually replace traditional culture methods for detection and quantification of micro-organisms and antibiotic resistance testing. This could lead to much faster results and actionable health information, which ultimately would improve significantly the quality of patient treatment and medical outcome by a much more targeted and focused use of antibiotics.

The agreement combines the strengths of Roche in the field of PCR technology and the development, manufacturing and worldwide marketing of diagnostics products, with Mayo Clinic's unique experience in the field of molecular microbiology and clinical validation of innovative diagnostic products. Roche will be able to further expand the use of its proprietary PCR technology and its unique LightCycler instrumentation platform in the research and laboratory diagnostic market with a continuously growing and exclusive portfolio of clinically important microbiology related parameters.

Under the terms of the agreement the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research will work with Roche to develop a series of PCR assays and Roche will be responsible for final product scale-up, manufacturing, distribution and support of these products.

"For Roche, this partnership offers a significant opportunity to develop new parameters for molecular diagnostics both rapidly and efficiently," says Juergen Flach, M.D., vice president and general manager of Molecular Biochemicals, Roche Diagnostics Corporation.

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leading research-oriented healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and vitamins. Roche's products and services address prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, thus enhancing well-being and quality of life. Roche has approximately 64,000 employees and sells its products in over 170 countries. Roche's Diagnostics Division supplies a wide array of innovative testing products and services to researchers, physicians, patients, hospitals and laboratories worldwide. Roche Diagnostics Corporation, based in Indianapolis, is the North American headquarters for the diagnostics business of the company.